The Man Who Paints on Books (5 pics)

Mike Stilkey is one of those guys that thinks completely outside the box book. Ever since I learned about him a couple years ago, I have yet to find another person that creates anything remotely similar to his work.

Unlike most people, Stilkey doesn’t just read books, he paints on them. His unorthodox artwork is created using a mix of ink, colored pencil, paint and lacquer, and features a melancholic, whimsical cast of characters.

Stilkey just exhibited several new pieces at the Art San Diego fair over the weekend. Included were several of his signature “stack of books” pieces, as well as two large pieces painted on a flat mosaic of vintage book covers, a first for him.